Learn what is personal hygiene and why is it important; along with the top 10 personal hygiene practices for women.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I will earn a small commission if you purchase through my link at no extra cost to you.
What is Personal Hygiene and Why is it Important?
Practicing personal hygiene is a physical self-care activity that involves taking care of your physical body to stay disease-free.
As your body comes in contact with numerous viruses and germs on a daily basis, maintaining good personal hygiene habits will keep you physically healthy and prevent you from getting sick.
Moreover, personal hygiene practices make you feel and look great, which eventually helps boost your self-esteem.
Besides, it goes without saying that people always prefer the company of a more hygienic person. Whereas having poor personal hygiene may have a negative impact on your health as well as drive others away from you.
Now that you know why is it important to maintain good personal hygiene; understanding the types of personal hygiene practices for taking appropriate action is necessary.
So today, I've compiled a list of the top 10 personal hygiene practices for women that will show you how to maintain hygiene at home or office by incorporating these habits into your routine.
Good Hygiene Habits to Include in Your Routine
Here are 10 ways to keep yourself clean and some general examples of personal hygiene that you can incorporate into your routine:
1. Hand Hygiene
Washing Your Hands has always been the simplest and inevitable personal hygiene practice. And probably the first thing that comes to your mind when someone talks about hygiene! I'm glad that at least, after the pandemic, people are taking it seriously.
Here are some hand hygiene practices to remember:
- It is easier for germs and viruses to enter your body through your hands. That is why you must wash your hands BEFORE consuming food and AFTER handling the trash, or even pets, or coming into physical contact with unclean surfaces or items.
- Also, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly (your palms, back of hand, fingers, between fingers, fingernails, and even wrist) with a good hand wash or soap for 30 seconds and then dry them well.
- Alternatively, when it is inconvenient to wash your hands with soap and water, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. It is one of those essentials every woman should always carry in her bag.
2. Toilet Hygiene
Maintaining appropriate toilet hygiene, whether at home or in a public restroom, will help reduce infections. Toilet hygiene comprises many habits. However, when it comes to maintaining personal hygiene, the following are some of the simple practices to keep in mind:
- After using the toilet, wash your hands properly with soap.
- Before flushing, don't forget to close the lid.
- Before leaving the restroom, make sure you dry your hands well.
- Above all, do not bring your phone inside. It's a very unhygienic practice and NOT at all cool!!
3. Oral Hygiene
When it comes to dental care, you need to be very conscious of your habits and maintain oral hygiene to avoid all sorts of dental problems.
And don't even get me started on how EXPENSIVE dental treatment is! Once you go to the dentist for one problem, two more will arise, and so on.
Yes, dental checkups are equally important, and you must not skip yearly checkups (maybe once in 6 months). However, prevention is always better than cure; and you must take appropriate measures from your side to care for your oral health.
So, here are a few things you need to consider while caring for your teeth:
- Brush your teeth twice a day (at least), maybe in the morning, and before going to bed for about 2 minutes each time.
- Flossing your teeth to remove bacteria or any food particles between your teeth is a great way to avoid further dental problems. So, don't neglect it and floss your teeth with a Water Flosser or this Listerine UltraClean Access Flosser once a day.
- Do consider using a mouthwash like this Antiseptic Mouthwash with Cool Mint Flavor, since brushing your teeth is not always enough - as your toothbrush is unable to reach some areas within your mouth. It also helps you deal with bad breath.
- Drink plenty of water, and you can also chew on sugarless gum to avoid bad breath.
4. Shower Hygiene
For most of us, a daily shower is more like a habit; than a personal hygiene practice. And there's a solid reason why you've developed this habit! However, some people (still) feel too lazy to take a bath or shower daily.
So, here are some reasons why you need to take a proper shower with a soap or body wash regularly:
- Showering will ACTUALLY wake you up in the morning.
- It helps prevent body odor and skin irritation.
- In addition to physical health benefits, a bath or shower also provides mental health benefits. And is one of the easiest ways to practice self-care.
And don't forget to wash your hair with shampoo; a minimum of once or twice a week.
RELATED POST: How to Make a Schedule and Stick to It
5. Feminine Hygiene
Intimate hygiene is the most rarely spoken and frequently neglected aspect of personal hygiene despite its importance. Showering on a daily basis is not sufficient to keep your private areas clean and free of infections. And so, you need to maintain good feminine hygiene by taking some EXTRA measures.
Here's how to have good hygiene as a girl down there:
- As your skin is sensitive down there, you must use an intimate wash with well-balanced pH levels like this Summer's Eve Cleansing Wash, instead of any fragrant soap or body wash.
- Consider wearing breathable innerwear on a daily basis, preferably cotton-based.
- If vaginal discharge bothers you, you can use panty liners to stay and feel fresh.
- Always use a soft (& clean) towel to keep your intimate area clean and dry. Also, make sure that you wipe from front to back. (Alternatively, you can use intimate cleansing wipes when using a public restroom.)
6. Sickness Hygiene
Sickness hygiene applies to those who are unwell and need to take measures to avoid spreading their illnesses. Practicing sickness hygiene is necessary to protect your loved ones, colleagues, and other people who may get infected by you. And lately, the worldwide pandemic has definitely taught this to all of us - the HARD way!
Here are some sickness hygiene practices to consider practicing when you're sick:
- When sneezing, cover your mouth with a mask. (Or at least a handkerchief or tissue).
- Dispose of your used tissues SAFELY.
- Sanitize the shared surfaces, whether at your home or workplace.
- Do not share food, utensils, or any other items.
7. Facial and Skin Hygiene
Your skin is the natural barrier that protects your organs from viruses and infections. That is why taking daily measures intentionally to care for your skin and keep it healthy is necessary.
Here are some things to consider to take good care of your skin:
- Maintain a skincare routine. It won't take much of your time, and you can keep it as basic as possible. Just be consistent!
- Touching your face with unwashed hands is a complete NO-NO.
- Avoid skin picking at all costs. I'm myself a victim of it, and trust me - it does no good! Using fidget toys is one of the ways I tackle my skin picking problem.
- Keep in mind that NOT every product is suitable for everyone. (I've made this mistake myself and suffered very badly!) So, I'd suggest you make sure that the skin products you use suit your skin type. And stop using the products right away if they show any kind of allergic reaction.
8. Nail Hygiene
You expose yourself (and those around you) to viruses and nail infections by neglecting good nail hygiene. Keeping your fingernails, toenails, and hangnails trimmed and clean is all-important.
Here are some nail hygiene tips to keep in mind:
- Longer nails are more likely to have build-up than shorter nails. That is why it is necessary to maintain the proper length - not too long, not too short (it also makes them easier to clean). Besides, well-trimmed nails look much healthier and prettier than LONG dirty dragon nails!!
- Every time you wash your hands, make sure you cleanse your fingernails too.
- Avoid ripping or biting your hangnails - use a nail trimmer instead.
9. Sleep Hygiene
Sleep hygiene practices refer to your evening rituals and habits that help you get a night of restful sleep. Whereas lack of good sleep hygiene practices may cause sleeping disorders. That's why it is important!!!
Here are some good sleep hygiene practices you need to make sure you follow:
- Disconnect from technology by turning off all your screens 60 to 90 minutes before going to bed. (Instead, do something else like reading, journaling, etc.)
- Avoid drinking caffeine for 4 to 6 hours before going to bed.
- Eat a light meal for dinner.
- Maintain a consistent sleep and wake-up time.
- Make sure you get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night.
RELATED POST: Daily Habits of Highly Productive People
10. Clothing Hygiene
Last but not least. Clothing and hygiene are closely related, as your worn clothes may harbor germs. It may cause skin infections if not washed thoroughly or worn without washing.
As a result, you need to ensure that the clothes you wear; or any textile items you use are cleaned regularly. And always wear clean, fresh, and preferably comfortable clothes on a daily basis.
This brings my list of 10 good hygiene habits to an end.
Definitely implement these 10 personal hygiene practices into your daily routine if you want to stay physically healthy and disease-free.